LEI Glossary

A 20-character, alpha-numeric code based on the ISO 17442 standard that connects to key reference information enabling clear and unique identification of legal entities participating in financial transactions. The LEI consists of an LOU prefix (characters 1-4), entity identifier (characters 5-18), and check digits (characters 19-20).

The official name under which a business or organization is registered with government authorities. This name is used for legal and regulatory purposes and is the primary identifier in LEI Level 1 data.

An optional list of alternative names (excluding transliterations) for the legal entity. These may include trading names, former legal names, or other recognized names by which the entity operates.

ASCII transliterated (i.e., Latin- or Romanized) representations of names for legal entities whose original registration is in a non-Latin script. LEI records include both original and transliterated names to ensure global accessibility.

The address of the legal entity as recorded in the registration of the legal entity in its legal jurisdiction. This is the official registered address maintained by the relevant registration authority.

The address of the headquarters of the legal entity, which may differ from the legal registered address. This represents the primary business location where entity operations are conducted.

An optional list of additional addresses associated with the legal entity beyond the legal and headquarters addresses. The LEI record can accommodate up to 5 other addresses.

A classification that defines (where applicable) the category of entity identified by an LEI record, as a more specific category within the broad definition given in ISO 17442. Categories include: BRANCH, GENERAL, FUND, SOLE_PROPRIETOR, and RESIDENT_GOVERNMENT_ENTITY.

An entity category classification for investment funds and collective investment vehicles. Funds are distinct legal entities that pool capital from investors and have specific regulatory requirements.

A group of related funds managed by the same fund management company. LEI Level 2 relationship data can capture the hierarchical relationships within fund families.

The registration authority used by the LEI issuer to validate the entity data. Authorities are identified using codes from the Registration Authorities Code List (RA list) maintained by GLEIF.

Official government or authorized bodies that maintain registers of legal entities in their jurisdiction. The Registration Authorities Code List (RA list) is maintained by GLEIF and used to standardize references to these authorities.

The international standard specifying the elements of a unique Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) code structure. Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), it defines the LEI as a 20-character alphanumeric reference code with specific structure and validation rules.

A supranational not-for-profit organization established by the Financial Stability Board in 2014 to support the implementation and use of the LEI. GLEIF maintains the central authoritative database (Golden Copy) of all LEI data and operates the LEI system infrastructure.

Organizations authorized by GLEIF to issue and maintain LEI codes. LOUs operate in specific jurisdictions and are responsible for registering legal entities, validating entity data, and ensuring LEI data quality according to GLEIF standards.

The first 4 characters of an LEI code, uniquely identifying the LOU that issued the LEI. Each LOU is assigned one or more unique prefixes by GLEIF to ensure global uniqueness of LEI codes.

The federated system of LOUs and GLEIF that collectively operates the global LEI infrastructure, maintaining the central directory of LEI data and ensuring standardization across jurisdictions.

Reference data that answers 'who is who' by providing basic information about a legal entity including: LEI code, official legal name, registered and headquarters addresses, country of formation, entity legal form code, and registration status. Defined in the LEI Common Data File (LEI-CDF) format version 3.1.

Relationship information that answers 'who owns whom' by identifying direct and ultimate parent entities of an LEI holder. Includes ownership percentages, relationship types, and validation methods. Defined in the Relationship Record Common Data File (RR-CDF) format version 2.1.

A structured data record in Level 2 data that documents the ownership or control relationship between two legal entities. Contains start node (child entity), end node (parent entity), relationship type, and relationship period information.

A declaration in Level 2 data when a legal entity cannot or will not provide parent relationship information. Exceptions include reasons such as consent not obtained, no known person, legal obstacles, or non-consolidation. Defined in Reporting Exceptions CDF format version 2.1.

Any entity that is legally or financially responsible for entering into contracts and financial transactions. This includes corporations, partnerships, trusts, funds, government agencies, and other organizational structures with legal standing that can be uniquely identified.

The legal status or structure of an entity as defined by the jurisdiction in which it is registered (e.g., Corporation, LLC, Partnership, Trust). Recorded using standardized codes from the Entity Legal Forms (ELF) Code List (ISO 20275) maintained by GLEIF.

The international standard for Entity Legal Forms codes. Provides a standardized list of codes representing different legal entity types across jurisdictions, maintained and published by GLEIF.

The legal entity that has a direct accounting consolidation relationship with the reporting entity according to the accounting standard specified. This parent directly consolidates the entity's financial statements and typically owns or controls more than 50% of the reporting entity.

The highest level parent entity in a corporate hierarchy that consolidates the reporting entity in its financial statements and is not itself controlled by any other entity. Represents the top of the ownership structure.

The current state of an LEI record indicating its validity and currency. Status values include: ISSUED (active and up-to-date), LAPSED (registration has expired and renewal is required), MERGED (entity merged into another), RETIRED (entity ceased to exist), CANCELLED (LEI revoked), ANNULLED (issued in error), or DUPLICATE (duplicate of another LEI).

The date by which the LEI registration must be renewed to maintain ISSUED status. LEI renewals are required annually to ensure data accuracy and currency.

The date when the LEI was first issued to the legal entity. This date remains constant throughout the lifecycle of the LEI, regardless of renewals or transfers between LOUs.

The most recent date when any information in the LEI record was modified, including entity data changes, relationship updates, or status changes.

The annual validation process required to maintain an active LEI status. During renewal, entity reference data must be reviewed and confirmed as accurate, with renewal fees paid to the issuing LOU to maintain ISSUED status.

A digital credential that combines the LEI with verifiable credential technology, enabling cryptographic verification of legal entity identity in digital transactions. Built on W3C standards and managed through a decentralized governance framework to provide authoritative digital identity.

A tamper-evident credential with authorship that can be cryptographically verified. Based on W3C standards and used in the vLEI ecosystem to issue digital credentials that prove entity identity, organizational roles, and authorized representatives.

An organization authorized by an LOU to act on its behalf for LEI issuance and maintenance. Registration agents provide local presence and support for entities seeking LEIs, while the LOU retains ultimate responsibility for data quality.

The country or territory under whose laws an entity is formed, registered, or incorporated. Recorded in LEI data using ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country codes to ensure consistent identification across all records.

The international standard for country codes and subdivision codes. LEI data uses ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 codes for countries and ISO 3166-2 codes for regional subdivisions to ensure consistent geographic identification.

The final 2 characters (positions 19-20) of an LEI code, calculated using the ISO 17442 algorithm based on MOD 97-10 calculation. These digits validate the integrity of the entire LEI and detect transcription errors.

The standardized format specified by GLEIF for LEI data exchange across the Global LEI System. Includes LEI-CDF v3.1 for Level 1 data, RR-CDF v2.1 for relationship records, and Reporting Exceptions format v2.1. Available in XML, JSON, and CSV formats.

A complete dataset file published daily by GLEIF containing all LEI records from all LOUs worldwide. Available in multiple formats (XML, JSON, CSV) for bulk data consumption, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the entire LEI database.

Incremental update files published by GLEIF containing only the changes to LEI data since the previous publication. Used in conjunction with concatenated files for efficient data synchronization and updates.

The authoritative, centralized database of all LEI records maintained by GLEIF, aggregated from all LOUs worldwide. Serves as the single source of truth for global LEI data and is published daily in the concatenated files.

The process of representing entity names and addresses in Latin/ASCII script when the original registration uses non-Latin alphabets (e.g., Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese characters). LEI records include both original and transliterated versions for global accessibility.

An international body that monitors and makes recommendations about the global financial system. The FSB endorsed the global LEI system in 2012 and established GLEIF to govern its implementation and operation.

A group of over 70 public authorities from more than 50 countries that oversees the Global LEI System and GLEIF operations. The ROC ensures the LEI system serves public policy objectives and maintains its role as a global public good.

A cryptographically verifiable representation of an entity's identity in digital form. The vLEI extends the LEI to provide authoritative digital identity for legal entities, enabling trusted digital interactions and automated verification in online transactions.

The accuracy, completeness, and currency of LEI data. GLEIF and LOUs maintain strict data quality standards through validation processes, annual renewals, and continuous monitoring to ensure LEI data reliability for regulatory and business use.

Standardized lists of codes maintained by GLEIF for consistent data representation across the Global LEI System. Includes Entity Legal Forms (ELF/ISO 20275), Registration Authorities, country codes (ISO 3166), and business register entity identifiers.

The application programming interface provided by GLEIF for programmatic access to LEI data. Supports REST and GraphQL queries with real-time access to the Golden Copy database, including Level 1 and Level 2 data.